Being arrested changes everything in an instant. One minute you’re living your normal life, the next you’re staring at criminal charges that could affect your job, your family, your future. The panic sets in fast.
Your first instinct might be to hire the first lawyer you find online or the one with the biggest billboard on the highway.
Some lawyers talk a big game but have never handled a case like yours. Others might be great at personal injury but know nothing about criminal defense.
This decision matters more than you realize. The lawyer you choose could be the difference between jail time and probation, between a conviction and getting charges dropped entirely.
Don’t Hire Just Any Lawyer
Law school covers a lot of ground, but most lawyers specialize in specific areas once they start practicing. You wouldn’t hire a divorce attorney to handle your tax audit, so why would you hire a general practice lawyer for serious criminal charges?
Criminal defense has its own language, procedures, and strategies. DUI cases are completely different from assault charges. Federal crimes follow different rules than state charges. Drug cases require different defenses than white collar crimes.
Some attorneys handle a little bit of everything – divorces on Monday, criminal cases on Tuesday, personal injury on Wednesday. That might work for minor infractions, but serious charges need focused expertise.
Look for lawyers who spend most of their time on criminal defense. Check their website, ask during consultations what percentage of their practice involves criminal law. If it’s less than 75%, keep looking.
Red flags to avoid:
- Attorneys who advertise for multiple practice areas
- Lawyers who promise specific outcomes
- Anyone who wants full payment upfront with no payment plan
- Attorneys who won’t give you time estimates for your case
Look for Someone Who Knows Your Local Courts
Criminal law might be the same statewide, but every courthouse has its own personality. Judges have preferences about how they like cases presented. Prosecutors handle plea negotiations differently. Court clerks know which attorneys prepare proper paperwork and which ones cause delays.
Local knowledge gives your lawyer advantages that out-of-town attorneys simply can’t match. They know which prosecutors might be willing to negotiate and which ones always push for maximum penalties. They understand how specific judges typically sentence first-time offenders versus repeat crimes.
Experienced Maryland Criminal Lawyers who regularly appear in your jurisdiction can often get better results than more famous attorneys from other areas who don’t understand local procedures and relationships.
Ask potential lawyers how often they appear in your specific courthouse. Do they know the prosecutors handling your type of case? Have they worked with the judge assigned to your case before? These relationships matter more than most people realize.
Check What People Really Say About Them
Online reviews tell you things that fancy websites don’t. Past clients share honest opinions about communication, results, and overall experience.
But don’t just look at star ratings. Read the actual reviews. Pay attention to complaints about returned phone calls, missed deadlines, or surprise fees. Look for patterns in what people say.
Check multiple sources – Google reviews, Avvo, state bar websites. Some lawyers pay for fake positive reviews, but it’s harder to fake reviews across multiple platforms.
What to look for in reviews:
- Recent reviews from the past 12 months
- Specific details about the lawyer’s performance
- Comments about communication and responsiveness
- Results achieved in cases similar to yours
- How the lawyer handled unexpected problems
Be suspicious of attorneys with only perfect 5-star reviews or lawyers with mostly generic, vague positive comments.
Make Sure You Can Actually Afford Them
Criminal defense costs money, sometimes a lot of money. But expensive doesn’t automatically mean better, and cheap usually means corners get cut somewhere.
Most criminal defense lawyers charge flat fees rather than hourly rates. This protects you from surprise bills if your case takes longer than expected. Get fee agreements in writing before you hire anyone.
Ask what happens if your case goes to trial instead of settling with a plea bargain. Some lawyers charge extra for trial work. Others include everything in their flat fee.
Payment plans are common in criminal defense. Many lawyers understand that getting arrested creates financial stress and will work out reasonable payment schedules.
Don’t automatically hire the cheapest lawyer you find. Your freedom is worth investing in proper representation. But also don’t assume the most expensive lawyer is automatically the best choice.
Pick Someone You Can Actually Talk To
You’ll be sharing personal, potentially embarrassing details with this person. They need to understand your situation completely to defend you effectively.
Some lawyers are great in courtrooms but terrible at explaining things to clients. Others are good communicators but not aggressive advocates. You need both skills in your attorney.
During consultations, pay attention to how well the lawyer explains your charges and potential defenses. Do they use legal jargon you don’t understand, or do they explain things in plain English?
Ask about communication expectations. How quickly do they return phone calls? Do they answer emails promptly? Will you mostly deal with the lawyer directly or with their staff?
Trust your instincts about personality fit. If something feels off during your consultation, that feeling probably won’t improve once you hire them.
Your case is too important to settle for a lawyer who doesn’t feel like the right match. Take time to meet with several attorneys before making this crucial decision.